Apparatus for filling jars



Aug. 12, 1952 H. REICHLE APPARATUS FOR FILLING JARS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 17. 1947 JTTORNEY INVENTOI.

Aug. 12, 1952 Filed June 17, 1947 H. REICHLE 2,606,705

APPARATUS FOR FILLING JARS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

' HcuISRecTrLe ATTORNEY Aug. 12, 1952 H. REICHLE APPARATUS FOR FILLING JARS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 17, 1947 INVENTOR.

HansReicTTle BY Z a 4 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 12, 1952 Hans Reichle, Mahopac Falls, N. Y., assignor to Oolgate-Palmolive-Peet Company, Jersey City,- N.' J., a corporaticnof Delaware ApplieationJuneii'l, 1947, Serial No. 755,149

The present invention: relates to mechanism for filling jars levehfull: of a pastyor" plastic material;

In my Patent Number 2,229,476,- issued-January 21, 1941, I have discloseda filling mechanism capable of filling successive "jars level full of a pasty-or a'plastic material; The present invention-involvesimprovements in the'device shown in thepa-tent and has among its objects the prevention of leakage during filling of the J'arsand the-selective prevention of discharge of material from any'fiiling'head in the event aiaris not'in position toreceive it.-

. ther obiectsandadvantageswill become ap parent from. the iollowing'description, taken in conjunction with the drawing-s in which:

Fig. 1 is aside View oi 'a fiilinsm c a m embodying the present-invention,

Fig. 2-is a fragmentary elevation alongthe line 22 of Fig. 1 with parts, broken awayto reveal.

structural details,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation along the line 3-3.of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation. along the line 4'4 of Fig-5,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan iviewwitlil part removed to reveal details ofconstruction,

Fig. 6 is an isometric View of. a slide valve,1and

Fig. '7 isv a fragmentary isometric view ofa portion of the valve operating mechanism.

Referring now. more particularly to Fig. 1,.the filling mechanism comprises a frameworkl, carrying filling means 2,a jar feedmechamsm't, a jar positioning mechanism 6,1 valve operating.

mechanism 8 and a jar discharge device l G Mounted on the framework tare bearing blocks I0. inwhich a rock shaft ll is mounted. Guide rodsl'Z'aresupported at: one end on the rock shaft H on which they are DDSitionedby collars 13 as illustrated in Fi 5. The other ends of the guide rods i2 are supported on a similar shaft I Ea...

The material to be-filled into, the jars is fed to a manifold l 4 from a'suitable supply (not shown). The manifold has passages leading to a plurality of three-way valves (not shown) associated with reciprocating feed pumps 29 mounted at: one side of the manifold M. Reciprocating" overflow pumps 2 t of similar construction are mounted at the other side of the manifold M. The piston rods 22 of the pumps and 2! are connected to a"carriage 23 which is reciprocably mounted on the guide rods l2 as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The feed pump '20 communicates with a filling head 24 through the feed duct 25 (see Figs. 2 and 3). Thefilling head also has an overflow duct 25Iwhich communicates with the overflow pump 9 Claims (Cl. 226-495)- turnedso as toconnect it withth ichamberofit through" a three-way valve= (not shown); A slide valve Zl'is slidably-mounted inthe fi-lling head 26. This valve is provided in its uppersurface witha recess 28"which normal-1 connects the feed duct .25 with the 'overfiow duct 2-6-:asshown inFig. 3. Valveal also is provided" witha feed Opening 29, "and-an,- overflow opening 39' separated by abridge 3 l.-' Underthe slide -,valve is awiping plate 32 preferably forme'd;. of :soft rubber. Y I

. In the -rnechanism illustrated-in the drawing each'filling head 24' isprovided with as dual setof feed ducts Ed-(see Fig. 2)-andoverflow-ducts 28 communicating with the chamber .of asingle pump Ziland-Zi respectively. The operation of this mechanism, which is known and forms-no:

part of the present inventiomis as-followsa The-carriage 23 at thebeginningofthe operation is at its extreme position. to theright' as viewed in Fig. 1. As it moves-to .the left the piston rod 22 of the feed pump 26 pulls-the piston' toward. the head of: the pump and enlarges=the cavity in the cylinder into the material flows from the feed supply-through a three-way valve.

When thecarriage has reached the limit of its.

movement to the left, each of the feedpumps 28- contains a. quantity of the material somewhatiinexcess of the amount required to .fill. two-v jars. At'this time the three-way valveis turned tooonnect the chamber of thepump, 23' Withth. feed.

ductsil'i. As the carriage .movesto the rightth'e material is forced. from the .feed 'pumpirito the feed duct. the slide valve is located so that the feed opening. 29 is underthe duct 25 and the overflowopening is under the overflow duct 25 the material is forced into the jar under the. pressure oflithe pump it, untilit is completely filled while'the excess goes into the jar and out again through the overflow opening 38 into'the duct 26; Inthe event a jar is not in positionand the slide va'lve is located with the recess 23 in the-position shown in Fig. 3, the charge 'ofmaterialintendedrforthe' jar simplyflows from the feed yduct ZS-directly; into the overflow duct26.- At the timethe teed pump 2!! is discharging into the duct 25,-the-three way valveassociated with-theoveriiowduct =26 isthe overflow pumpi I. Thev pistonin-pumpill is moved simultaneously to the. right byits piston. rod 22 which is .connectedwith the carriage 23 so asto create asuction and prevent-the'material in the'dischargeline from building'upan exces- If a jar is properly positioned and 3 turns so that as the overflow pump is emp y the material in the pump is returned to the supply.

The means for reciprocating carriage 23, which are only fragmentarily illustrated, comprise a lever 33 pivoted at its lower end to the framework of the machine, a link 34 pivoted at one end to the upper end of lever 33 and operatively connected at its other end with the carriage 23, and a connecting rod 35 pivoted at one end to lever 33 intermediate its ends and cooperating at its other end with a cam (not shown) mounted on a cam shaft 36. d

The jars are fed into the machine on a table 40 mounted in the framework I. This table is provided with a plurality of slots 4|, corresponding in number to the slide valves 21. A rack.42 is provided to operate in each of these slots 4|. The feed mechanism per se forms no part of the present invention and it is illustrated only fragmentarily since its structure and manner of operation is well understood by those well skilled in the art. The racks 42 reciprocate to the right as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 with their teeth extending through the slots 4| so as to engage the jars on the table and move them step by step toward the right. At the end of their movement to the right, the racks are lowered until the teeth do not extend as high as the table 4!), moved in unison to the left and aga n elevated to the starting position. The reciprocating motion is imparted to the racks by a lever 43 pivoted at its lower end to the frame of the machine and connected by the link 44 to the rack carria e. A connecting rod 45 p voted to the lever 43 intermediate its ends coo erates with a cam (not shown) on the shaft 36 to move the rack in timed relation to the movement of the parts now to be described.

The mechanism for raising the jars from the level of the table 40 into contact with the filling heads 24 comprises an elevator bar 60 having a pair of guide rods 6| passing through suitable hearings in a fixed cross bar 62 which forms part of the framework of the machine (see Fig. 1.

2). Collars 63 are securely fastened to each of the guide rods 6| and they carry links 64 which are pivoted respectively to one end of the levers 65, the other ends of which are pivoted to the framework of the machine, as shown in Fig. 3.

A roller 66 is rotatably mounted on the lever 65 intermediate its ends. Mounted on the shaft 36 is a cam 61 having a cam groove 68 in which the roller 66 operates.

Mounted in the elevator bar 60 are a number of elevator rods 69 corresponding to the number of slide valves 21. Each of the rods 69 carries a platform at its upper end. These platforms 10 in their lowermost position lie in the plane of the table 40 and are adapted to receive the front jar on the table 49 when the rack 42 is moved to the right. A collar 1| is fastened on each elevator rod 69 to limit the upward movement of the elevator rod 69 by contact with the fixed cross bar 62. A similar collar 12 is secured to the elevator rod beneath the elevator bar 60. A third collar 13 is fastened to this elevator rod 69 adjacent to the collar H and a helical spring 14 is interposed between the collar 13 and the elevator bar 60. This spring holds the elevator rods and associated parts in their uppermost position relative to elevator bar 60, as limited only by the collar 12, and is of such strength. that when the elevator bar is raised,

4 a jar is held against the wiping plate 32 with only slight force.

The elevator rods and associated parts are arranged in pairs under the filling heads 24, as shown in Fig. 2. The lower ends of each pair of elevator rods 69 are connected by a yoke 15 which is pivoted thereto and connected at its center to the piston rod 16 of a fluid cylinder 11 which is pivoted to the framework by pins 18. Fluid line I9 connects, through a suitable three-way valve (not shown), a source of fluid under pressure with the chamber of the cylinder ll under the piston therein.

The mechanism for operating the slide valves 21 comprises a carriage mounted to reciprocate on the guide rods l2. A cross bar 8| extends from side to side of the carriage 80 as shown in Fig. 5. Plates 82 corresponding in number to the slide valves 21 are secured to the cross bar 8| as shown more particularly in Fig. '7. A latch 83 is pivoted at one end to the cross bar 8| adjacent to the central portion of each plate 82. The other end of the latch 83 is adapted to connect detachably with the slide valve 21 by dropping into a hole 84 in the end of the valve, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6. A solenoid 85 is mounted by means of a bracket 86 above each of the plates 82 and the armature of the solenoid is pivotally connected with the latch 83 between the ends thereof.

The carriage 80 is reciprocated along the guide rods |2 by means of a pair of links 88 connected at one end with the cross bar 8| and at the other end to a crank arm 89 fastened to the rock shaft The shaft is oscillated by means of a crank arm 9|) which is connected to the piston rod 9| of a fluid cylinder 92 which is pivoted to the framework Fluid pressure lines 93a and 93b lead from a source of fluid under pressure through suitable three-way valves (not shown) to the pressure cylinder both above and below the piston therein, as shown in Fig. 3.

A limit switch 94 is secured to the fixed cross bar 62 adjacent to each of the collars N. This switch is in the electrical circuit of the respective solenoid 85. Each collar H as shown in Fig. 3, has an arm 95 rigidly secured thereto in which a screw 96 is mounted. The screw 95 can be locked in a desired position of adjustment by a locknut 91.

The mechanism for ejecting the jars from the machine after filling comprises a carriage I00 mounted for reciprocation on the guide bars l2. This carriage has an ejector bar |0| extending from side to side of the machine which is adapted to eject all the filled jars simultaneously. The carriage Hill is reciprocated through duplicate mechanisms at each side of the machine comprising a link I02 pivoted at one end to the car riage and at the other end to a lever I03 which is pivotally mounted at the lower end to the framework l, as shown more particularly in Fig. 4. Intermediate the ends of lever I03 is mounted a roller I04. A cam I05 having a cam groove IDS is mounted on the cam shaft 36 so that the roller I04 operates in the slot or groove I06.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

With the platforms H3 in their lowermost position, the racks 42 are moved to the right, by rotation of the cam shaft 36 to deposit a jar in the proper position on. each of the platforms. Further rotation of the cam shaft 35 then causes the levers 65 to swing counterclockwise and thereby raise the elevator bar 69- and all of the jar elevators comprising rods 69 and associated 53; partsa i The parts: Omani: jan-elevator: arewso adjusted th'at when the iirimof :ithe; mouth rof; a jar contacts the wipingzlplate :32i.;thesspringzfl4 isi slightly compressed'so thattthe: collar H, is heldia short distance away from". the fixedtcross; bar-.62;: This holds the screw 96' away fromthe switch 94 so that the:contaotsare-notclosed; If forsomereasona jaris not positioned on:one of theplatforms, the collar '1 I travelsupwardly with;

the associated elevator'rod 69 untiljitcontacts: the-fixedzcross bar 62, and closes-theswitchsi, thusycompleting the electricalcircuit throughthe.

respective solenoid 85; which raises the latch:83,;

to ;the dotted line position shown in Fig, 3-.

As soon as the: elevatorbartfi, is; raised to=the upper limit of itsmovement, which presses the;

Jars against the wiping plates 32,, fluid, under pressure .is; introduced into other cylinders ii throughlthe lines 19, thereby apD y :;onsideI-' able pressure through-the yokes to each of:the;

associated elevator rods 69. simultaneously' with the introduction of fluid into the, cylinder-ii, fluid is' alsointroduced into the lower chamber of the cylinder 92 through line 93b, thereby swinging thecrank arm fiii in clockwise direction and shifting the carriage at to the left. If a jar is in position on a platform 'Hlfiso that the associated switch 94 is not closed,this movement of carriage 8t slides the respective valve 21 to the left and brings the feed opening 29 under the feed duct 25. On the other handif a jar is not in position on a platform is, the switch skassociated therewith is; closed so that the respective latchj83i is raised to; disconnect the respectiveslide. valve 2'3 from the-carriage 88. This leaves that valve--21 been moved. from its positicnratz the right to its extreme position at the left, thereby charging the cylinders 2a with asupplypf the material to be putinto the jars, is movedto the right to dis-. charge the materialnthrough:the. feed ducts: 25.

The pressure is maintained in the cylinders ll during the reciprocation of carriage 23 to the right. The pressure is so regulated that each jar is held suiiiciently tightly against the wiping plate 32 While the material is fed into the jar through the feed duct 25 that leakage cannot occur. As soon as the pumps 23 have been emptied, the pressure through lines i9 is released so that each jar is held against the wiping plate only by the force of the associated spring i i. Simultaneously fluid is introduced into the cylinder 92 through line 93a to return carriage 89 and the associated parts to their initial position at the right as viewed in Fig. 3.

As soon as the pressure on cylinder I? is released, the carriage it is reciprocated to the right by means of the cam Hit. The ejector bar I-i pushes each jar along its platform 10 while the rim of the mouth is held in contact with the wiping plate 32 by the force of spring 74 and deposits these jars on a conveyor belt (not shown) which conveys them to a cappin station. As soon as the jars have been pushed beyond the platforms ill, the elevator bar 8 and associated parts are depressed by the cam 61 to their lowermost position, and carriage Hi0, after completing its travel to the right, is returned to its original position.

The flow of fluid to the cylinders TI and 92 is preferably controlled by means of solenoids operating three-way valves in a conventional manreadily understand;

The features of novelty in the present invens tionzinclu'de' the means .for. increasing then-pressureiofu eachfijar against .theufilling head during the" fillinggxoperation so. that. spillage udocsxinot' occur: andajreleasing ..this:.: pressure so that the jars cantbe pushed-easilyzalong theplatform in contact? iwi in line wiping. .plate; after filling; 1 and. the-. disconnect'mechanism'. ion selectively: pre ventingnthesopeiiationv'of; the ,sslide: valve in: the

eventthat: 22.11 ar vshould:- not bezinposition :to:re=- ceive the'zcharge' of: material.

Although the present invention has beenzde-r.

scribed and-illustrated;in: connection with. the best rnodenf'applying the principle; ofv the invention'sof: which applicant is now-aware", -modifica tions sand: "variations; which: will. accomplish the sameiunctions in substantially the. same-manner;

areatcontemplateds Amongrsuch modifications and variations. are ithe;substitution of solenoids,- or; equivalent mechanical: means for cylinders-ll" Havingzzthus described. my invention, what I' the? statibnary" filling head; the improvement which comprises aplatform a'daptedto hold a jar, means: including a resilient connection-for periodically." raisingiand lowering said platform, and-a fiuid pressure. devicefloperatively connected to said platform for positivelyhoiding the jar against the stationary filling headdurin'gthe filling thereof;

2:- Ina filling rnechanism having a stationary filling head openi'ng'downwardly and means for ieedi'ngtarviscousmaterial into a jar held against the stationary filling i head, the improvement which comprises resilient means for pressing the mouth of ii a jar against the filling i head lightly and independent'meansfor substantially increasing the pressure of the jar against the stationary filling head during filling.

3. In combination with a stationary filling head, a vertically movable jar support, a positively moved element, a resilient member connecting said jar support and element whereby the positive movement of the element is transmitted to said support through said resilient member, and independent means for applying additional upwardly directed force to said support.

4. A jar filling mechanism comprising a filling head, a slide valve therein, a reciprocating member detachably connected to said slide valve, means for positioning a jar against the filling head, a limit switch, an arm secured to said means in the path of said limit switch, said arm being so arranged that the switch is not closed if a jar is in position on said platform but is closed if no jar is in position, and means operated by closing said switch for detaching said reciprocating member from said valve.

5. A jar filling mechanism comprising a filling head, a slide valve therein, a platform below said filling head, a reciprocating member connected to said slide valve, a rod supporting said platform, a vertically movable bar having an aperture through which said rod passes, a spring urging said rod upwardly relative to said bar, a collar limiting the upward movement of said rod relative to said bar, means for moving said bar from a lower position where the platform receives a jar to a higher position with th jar held against the filling head, and a fluid cylinder operably connected with said rod adapted to apply force upwardly when said reciprocating member opens said slide valve.

6. In a jar filling mechanism having a filling head with a sliding valve, the improvement which comprises a reciprocating carriage, a latch pivoted to said carriage and releasably connecting the carriage and valve together, a solenoid having its armature connected to said latch, a switch in the circuit of said solenoid, an elevator for positioning successive jars against said filling head, and an arm on said elevator adapted to close said switch if there is no jar on said elevator.

7. A filling mechanism comprising a filling head, a valve in said filling head, means for operating said valve having a removable connection thereto, a solenoid having its armature engaging said removable connection, a switch in the circuit of said solenoid, means for positioning a succession of jars against said filling head, an arm on said last-named means in the path of said switch adapted to close the same and energize the solenoid to disconnect said removable connection if a jar is not in position against said filling head.

8. A mechanism for filling a succession of containers comprising a filling head, a valve for controlling fiow of material from said head, a platform, container feed means for feeding a succession of containers to said platform, means for moving said platform from the container receiving position to and beyond afilling position, a container on said platform serving to stop the platform at the filling position by engagement with said filling head, valve control means operating in timed relation with the movement of said platform for opening and closing said valve, electrical means activated upon movement of said platform beyond said filling position in the absence of a container thereon, and means operated by activation of said electrical means for 8] disabling said valve control means whereby the valve is not opened if a container is not in position to receivea charge of material.

9. A mechanism for filling a plurality of containers simultaneously comprising a plurality of filling heads, avalve for controlling fiow of material through each filling head, a platform movable from a container receiving position toward each filling head for positioning a succession of containers in filling position against said filling head to receive a charge of said material, container feed means for feeding a succession of con-" tainers to each of said platforms in the container receiving position, individual valve control means operating in timed relation with the movement of said platforms for opening and closing each of said valves, electrical means for detecting the absence of a container on each platform upon movement thereof toward a filling head beyond said filling position, and means operated by said electrical means for disabling said valve control means for said filling head whereby a valve is not opened if a container is not in position to receive a charge of material.

HANS REICI-ILE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 668,308 Beyer Feb. 19, 1901 938,578 Gull Nov. 2, 1909 980,445 Smith Jan. 3, 1911 980,446 Smith Jan. 3, 1911 1,149,256 Godfrey Aug. 10, 1915 1,848,827 Fink et a1 Mar. 8, 1932 2,107,274 Anderson Feb. 8, 1938 2,229,476. Reichle Jan. 21, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 46,506 France Apr. 28, 1936 

